PagesPat's Ponderings

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Today, we bid farewell to Squigglefly Designs. This company took me under its wings and let me find my own. I got to play with gorgeous images and make pretty things with them. Holly Young is a supportive and generous friend, and I will cherish the past couple of years designing for her company of talented artists.

I tried to thank her by putting together a montage of images from her store for Christmas one year. She loved it, and I am happy I was able to express how much I appreciated her.
So, goodbye Squigglefly. You may be gone but not forgotten, your artists spread across the four winds. I'll see my teamies on other blogs and other DTs.
Enjoy life, and Happy Crafting!

Monday, January 26, 2015

This week Squigglefly offers its last challenge, one with Heart! Crafters have a few last days to purchase their fave images from their fave artsits before Squigglefly Designs closes its virtual doors after a fantastic run by multi-talented designers, artists and owners. I have grown as a card maker and an artist by being challenged each week, and am grateful for having had the opportunity to design using the wonderful images offered by Squigglefly in the last couple years.

Using a Squigglefly digi image, create a card or project with hearts or Love as the theme-it could be your image, embellishments, sentiment-whatever you LOVE to craft with!
I used a Squigglefly January new release called "Flyin' Foxy" by artist Fawn Palmer. My patterned paper is filled with ways to say "I love you," while my sentiment describes the way I feel about my hubby. Ric rac, pearls and a jeweled flourish embellish my card.
There are so many people whom I love that I want to gift with special cards this Valentine's Day. At first I thought it was too early to start making them, but after making my list, I decided I might barely have enough time!! How about you...do you have a short list of those who will receive cards from you this Valentine's Day? Or, if your list is long like mine, why don't you come play in this week's Squigglefly Challenge? You might just win a free digi!

Another Monday with the Outlawz Greetings Challenges!
This week is Anything Goes, my fave kind of challenge. I decided to make an anniversary card for my sweet hubby of 38 years. He truly is my Knight in Shining Armor, which also happens to be the name of the digital image I used from one of this month's sponsors, A DAY FOR DAISIES.
After coloring my hero with Copics, I fussy-cut him out, changed out his frame for a patterned paper one and popped him on some shiny silver foil paper (after punching the edges with a Martha Stewart set of hand-helds). Then came the jeweled flourishes, the hearts, the pearls and the sentiment (K&Co). Don't you love that patterned paper I used in the background? It's from CTMH.
I went all out on my card, even adding m'lady's (my) scarf at the end of his lance, as well as adding a feather (ahem) I mean plume, to his helmet. And my valiant knight is off to win his true love's heart. Silly boy, he should know he has it by now! He's much better off sneaking in to his lady's bedchambers and...oops, never mind. Some things are best left unsaid. LOL
My inspiration for this card came from a few sources:

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampersfor their brilliant
alphabetical challenge (I chose "I for Iconic-call him Lancelot, King Arthur-any guy on a horse wearing a tin can holding a long stick is easily identifiable as an icon)

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Today I had fun in my craft room, making a Christmas card for a few challenges. I had a LOT of fun making this particular card, which is my take on a Naughty Christmas. I gleaned inspiration from Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers for their brilliant alphabetical challenge (I chose N for Naughty Christmas); Open-minded Crafting for their "Inspired by a Movie" challenge (Bad Santa) and The 12 Months of Christmas Cards Progressive Challenge blog, which has put me on the path toward a rich Christmas card stash by the time December 1 rolls around.
My Santa looks pretty good, huh? Makes me wish I were more naughty, so he would visit me next Christmas! LOL The image is from Ike's Art-I absolutely adore her images. I colored and framed him with Copics, popped him onto my 3-layered card front, and piled on holiday shimmer. I printed my sentiment on Microsoft Word and circle-punched it out.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Hello, my crafty peeps! I've been very busy in my craft room this week. Today I have a card for a very special girl. She has matured into a trailblazer, making her own path for others to follow if they wish. She is special, and I'm proud to call her my daughter.
I colored a Kenny K digi image called Kitty Katastrophe. I colored her with my trusty Copics, then fussy-cut her to pop onto my card front. I gave her some shimmer in her hair, because when she chases her dreams, her face lights up with determination and anticipation. The butterfly symbolizes the wings she has found, and the lacy heart doily shows that I have her back. She is one of a kind, and I love her.
Challenges I am entering:Kenny K's Challenge blog - "I am Special"the Path of Positivity Challenges - UniquenessCute Card Thursday - ColorfulCreative Knockouts - Lots of EmbelliesSister Act - Anything GoesScrapping4Fun Challenges - All about Love

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Second shift today so I had a free morning to create several cards today! This one is for Ike's World Challenges Blog, whose NEW CHALLENGE is to create a project using the sketch located in this post.
I used an image called Cognitive Thoughts, one of my fave images from Ike's Art. After coloring her with Copics, I popped her onto a frame of patterned paper. The sketch called for a strip of papers behind the image, as well as a set of three embellishments in the left upper corner.
I wanted to reach out to all those who feel conflicted with their identity or their responsibilities. The girly part of personalities may conflict with the sporty, edgy side of them. The pink and blue contrast brings out the conflicting thoughts that can war in a young adult's mind.
I'm conflicted right now. My gram is 104 years old. I love her, and she has been the matriarch of my family, and a role model to me while growing up. She taught me how to sew, crochet, needle craft, play cards, bake bread, and other worthwhile hobbies and habits. She took care of me and my sisters and cousins at times throughout our lives.
It's our turn now. A nursing home is not an option. She'll receive the care I know she deserves, but from previous experience, we know it will cause her dementia to take over her personality.
The conflict lies with time. The unrelenting schedule of evenings and weekends to visit her, feed her and take care of her needs is wearing down on all three of us. I share a dose of self-pity and self-loathing. I am a granddaughter, but I am also a mom and wife. We are now doing the things she did for us when we were babies. I cry out my stress on the way to her house, yet her smile upon seeing me lights up the room.
But...It's getting to the point where I almost resent the time taken up to care for her.
So, I am conflicted.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

I love when I can make two different cards with the same design and the same image! Above is a birthday card I made for my sweet hubby. He is now officially two years older than I. In April, I celebrate my own birthday and we go back to his being only one year older (hey, gotta take it when it's there). LOL
I used a gorgeous image from Art by Miran called "Winter Sofia." Since I adore the color teal, I drenched my card in that color, using Copics to color up Sofia, and papers to enhance the tone. I added a bit of shimmer with Stickles. I'm entering my card into the Art by Miran Challenge blog, where every challenge is Anything Goes, my fave kind of challenge! Check out the inspiration there, and go play!

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Today I created a birthday card for one of my fave digital image companies--Bugaboo is celebrating its 5th birthday in business! There's a huge celebration on her blog-you don't want to miss it!
Meanwhile, I created my card for the Birthday Bash Sketch Challenge. After using my Epic Six to cut out an oval frame, I used a white gel pen to make a Bugaboo background before popping my Copic-colored image, Cookie Dottie. You can't see the shimmer I gave her, but it's there. After all, she's working up quite a sweat getting refreshments ready for the party!
I stamped the sentiment onto a vellum tag, adding the butterfly (just 'cause). A few jeweled flowers float over her shoulder, and my card is complete.
Make sure to check out the celebration over at Catch the Bug challenge blog, and leave a birthday wish for her!

Monday, January 19, 2015

Following your own path is sometimes very difficult to do. There's peer pressure, family pressure, unpopularity, fear, indecision.
At other times, that path is lit with bright lights, helping you every step of the way to achieve inner peace, happiness, self-respect, and pride.
And sometimes, there is no path. You are forced to push obstacles aside, dig up unpleasant growth and smooth the way for others.
Every time you step out, you have a choice. Will you trudge along as others have? Will you skip lightly along the path? Or will you blaze your own path, allowing others to follow if they wish?
Obviously, the challenge this month at the Path of Positivity is Uniqueness. I have created a mixed media canvas with an image from Ike's Art called "Shhh!" I colored her with Copics, and placed her onto a washed out background of peoples' images. My sentiment is from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles and is perfect for the feel of my canvas.
This month our sponsors and prizes are:

A prize package worth $10 of digi images (digital papers not applicable) from Scribbles Designs, one of our guest sponsors this month, for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.

A $10 gift certificate from Ike's Art, one of our guest sponsors this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.

Betcha can't guess the new challenge this week at Squigglefly?! That's right, Show us your Snow on your cards and projects. Use a Squigglefly image and you'll be in the running for free digis, too!
Today's card uses a January new release from James Horvath called "Tom Cat." I colored my image so that he looks like he's perched on a hill of snow, and then used a famous quote from a recent Disney movie to bring home the challenge theme.
So do you have any snow where you live? We had a green Christmas, which was a little disappointing, although the weather was perfect for bikers and travelers. Chicago is a little "iffy" when it comes to winter weather. We have had our share of blizzards some years, and I seem to remember a holiday or two when all we wore were light jackets.
As I grow older, I tend to enjoy a good snow only if I have nowhere I have to drive to. It's pretty to look at but not so great to travel round in.

In honor of the snow covering the ground near Chicago, I created a winter card sprinkled with snowflakes. It's perfect for the Outlawz Greetings challenge this week--Let It Snow!

I used a lovely image from one of this month's guest sponsors, Angie's Digi Store. The digi is called Butterfly on Toadstool. I love using digis in unexpected ways-today using a spring-themed digi on a winter card. My sentiment explains it all: "Always maintain a kind of summer even in the middle of winter." It's a quote from Henry David Thoreau, and one of my faves! (BTW, in the Greetings challenges, you must use a sentiment to qualify for prizes)
I used a leftover piece of patterned paper from a DCWV paper stack to set my scene. After coloring my image with Copics, I fussy-cut it out and placed it in my "forest." I finished off my card with a few glittery snowflakes and the stamped sentiment. Simple yet heartfelt.Outlawz Greetings offers weekly challenges with fun themes, and monthly drawings for prizes.

Monday, January 12, 2015

I grew up on Disney movies and Star Trek. I'm tickled that my kids are also growing up with Star Trek! And now I get to craft with one of my fave quotes from Mr. Spock!
The hand symbol, "Live Long and Prosper," is my inspiration for my New Year's card today. The digi, released by Squigglefly this month, is from Lynne Stansbery, one of my fave artists (so it's a win-win situation). She draws a lot of digi images using hands and they are all so realistic and touching-I know, as I have most of them! LOL
Anyway, I thought the hand gesture deserved a proper background, so I pulled a scene from some Star Trek free clipart for the background. It's not very apparent in my photo, but Spock's hand has a touch of green, as every Trekkie knows he is an alien from the planet Vulcan. The ship in the background, the Enterprise, is one on which I've taken many voyages throughout the years. Although captains may have changed, Vulcans are long-lived, and Mr. Spock has been known to make an appearance or two on each new series or movie.
But back to my card...Squigglefly has a new challenge this week, and it is also one of my favorites--ANYTHING GOES! So, crafters, have your way with your supplies, and remember, if you use a Squigglefly image, you'll be in the running for free digis. Good luck, and have fun!!

Some crafters love the monochromatic, CAS challenge of a Black & White color challenge. I'm not necessarily a fan, but I managed to fill my card with color regardless!

I used a fantasy image from Poppyseed Graphics and colored her (just barely) with V12 Copic marker.
After die-cutting her out and framing her with black cardstock, I pooped her onto a winter-scape in purples. I added both black and purple embellishments, while the quote is printed in purple and has a couple black snowflakes to adorn it.Poppyseed Graphics is one of two guest sponsors this week at the Outlawz Greetings, whose newest challenge is to make a card or project with "Black + White Plus 1" as a color scheme.All Dressed Up is the other guest sponsor, and if you go to the Outlawz challenge, you can see all the vibrantly-colored Black & White cards there by the rest of the DT (I know, amazing how much color can be used on this type of challenge).

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

I made a New Year's resolution to Pay It Forward by gifting several people with little somethings throughout 2015, people who signed up to do the same for several other people. Because what the world needs now is little daily kindness, coming out of the blue with no warning and given in the spirit of the joy of giving.

So today I made a gift for my daughter. I'm so proud of her, as she just mailed out a manuscript for a writing contest. Her dream is to become a published writer, eventually supporting herself by her writing. She also dabbles in mixed media, water colors, and art journals. So I created a project to remind her that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, or, as the front says, Creativity is her middle name.

I used a digi image from Simply Betty Stamps called Artist London. The canvas in the image is blank so that you can write, print or stamp any sentiment you want. After coloring her with Copics, I used Stickles on her bandana. After going a tad crazy with pearl flourishes and flowers, I popped it all on an easel-style note holder.

Now my daughter can write down those fabulous ideas in the middle of the night when they come to her, and she can get on with writing the next American Novel!!

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Tomorrow, temps will not just dip but DIVE well below ZERO. Wind chills tomorrow evening will be between 30 and 40 below zero. Brrr!
The weather has inspired me to create a winter canvas on wood using an image from Simply Betty Stamps. She's called Brittney Bundled Up, which is what I need to do to get to work tomorrow! It's going to take my car longer to warm up so I can drive it, than the trip to my office will take. LOL
Anyway, I've had a few of these oval pieces of wood since I was in Girl Scouts, and finally decided to clean them out of my craft room. Lord knows how they kept getting packed up and moved from state to state throughout the years, but now they'll be gifted friends and family over the coming months.
I used Mod Podge to set my base after coloring my image with Copics. I love using the color teal especially on winter projects. It makes me happy, and crafting also makes me happy, so it's a win-win situation.
Embellishments include lightly-shaded teal pearls, and glittery snowflake buttons, part of my stash, left over from Christmas this year.
I committed to a New Year's Pay It Forward promise, to send the first five people who make the same commitment a little something special this year to each. My cousin Debbie lives in Texas and was the first person to commit to pay it forward, and she has let me know that a piece of art would please her greatly, so I'm going to box this up and send it to her this month. Nothing like starting the year off right!

Monday, January 5, 2015

It's very difficult sometimes to maintain your own unique self in the sea of conformity, community and peer groups. As you can see from my new mixed media canvas, although one of several mustachio'd creatures, each is unique in their own lovable way. You, too, can and should be unique in your special way. After all, everyone else is taken, so why be them? LOLI created my canvas for the Path of Positivity blog's newest and very first challenge of the New Year: Uniqueness! I got to play with a delightful image from Scribbles Design, featuring her signature characters (those of us who are Sandy's fans have come to know and love to create with). This digi image is called "Movember Boys" and is available along with so many others at her store.I started my canvas by covering it with leftover patterned papers, using Mod Podge (I was out of Matte Medium). Next came my Copic-colored image. After that, it was just a matter of the right embellishments. The alphas are leftover from a package of Basic Grey Dark Chocolate Chip card stock stickers.There is plenty of inspiration on the Path of Positivity Challenge blog, including a project from their guest DT member, Mimi. Please check her out and give her a little love before you go!Now, on to the challenge details:

A prize package worth $10 of digi images (digital papers not applicable) from Scribbles Designs, one of our guest sponsors this month, for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.

A $10 gift certificate from Ike's Art, one of our guest sponsors this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.

It's time to ring in the New Year with glitter and bling at Squigglefly this week. The challenge is to use Squigglefly image and shimmer it up with bling and/or glitter. I used shimmery patterned paper, jewels and glittery gel pens to my friendship card. I also used a brand-spankin' new January release from Squigglefly called Heart Friends by artist Angela Charles.
I don't know about you, but I have tried to clean out and organize by craft supplies. It is a never ending battle, so I will have to keep this goal on my 2015 New Year's resolutions. I'm also coming up on 100 Followers, and when I reach this goal, I am going to share my "treasures" with Followers old and new. Tell your friends, so they can get in on the fun and surprises, too!
Meanwhile, pull out your bling and come play with us at the Squigglefly Challenge blog this week!

Happy New Year, crafters!
The Outlawz Greetings challenge this first Monday of 2015 is to create a card or project using CHEVRONS, BLING and CIRCLES. You don't necessarily have to use a colored image, but your project must have a sentiment.
My first card uses an image from Dr. Digi called "Dunderton Decorators, Ltd."

As you can see, I combined a couple of circles with chevron washi tape for the challenge.

Next up is another birthday card:

I made this card using a couple images from one of our monthly sponsors, Dr.Digi. They are called "Paint Brush" which is showcased on the front of my card, and "Paint Can," showcased on the inside of my card.

Dr. Digi has a load of quirky and funny images with which you can play, too! They even have a few freebies to color up HERE. Of course, any image is good to go for the Greetings Challenge. All you have to do is add some CHEVRONS, BLING and CIRCLES. I didn't have any chevron patterned paper or any Washi tape to make my CHEVRONS, so I used coordinating card stock strips to make them on the side of my card. My BLING (red jewels) is found on the chevrons, as well as the handle of my brush (Stickles). My patterned paper is chock full of CIRCLES, and my sentiment was stamped onto a die-cut circle.
Jump into the New Year with both hands full of markers and play in the Outlawz Greetings challenge this week. Plenty of inspiration and fun there!

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Today is a new day, new month, new year AND a new challenge from Your Scrapbook Place Challenge Blog. The theme is my fave type: ANYTHING GOES. The sponsor is Sunflowerfield:

"Sunflowerfield is a small company located in Finland and we offer 'Cozy Home Products and Crafters' Essentials'. We have our own 'Sunflowerfield Designs' rubber and digi stamps designed by Vanja Stevanović and stamps from three fabulous companies: Wild Rose Studio, Whimsy Stamps and Crafty Sentiment Designs. In our webstore you will find quality ink pads, designer paper packs, different embellishments (brads, gems, pearls, charms...), wooden elements like hearts, stars, flowers... then satin flowers, paper roses, laces, ribbons, acrylic blocks and more."

For my card, I chose to create digitally. That's right, peeps, 100% digital! I have been playing in Photoshop Elements and have learned a trick or two (can you tell I'm very proud of myself? LOL)

Besides coloring the Sunflowerfield image, I also managed to manipulate the frame, borders and snowflake brads by Decosse's Dynamite Doodles. The image itself, while Thanksgiving-themed, has been colored in a winter palette. I love using themed images in different ways, don't you?

The sentiment is mine, using Photoshop. Even the snowflakes are stamps from my software! (If you knew anything about me, you would know that learning as much as I have in Photoshop is a BIG thing) My goal for 2015 is to get even more adept at using Photoshop.

So, you have one whole month to create ANYTHING your little heart desires! Here are the guidelines for our challenges:1. Your project must be new and fit the theme; any post containing your project must be published after the first day of the new challenge. No backlinking. 2. Your post must name the SBP Challenge Bog and a link to the challenge post. 3. You may enter as many other challenges as you wish.4. Closing time is midnite CDST on the last day of each month.5. You may enter up to three times for each new challenge.Check out the SBP Challenge Blog for inspiration, then go play and create so you can enter for a chance to win a prize from our sponsor, Sunflowerfield!! Have fun!!p.s. Lisa at Decosse's Dynamite Doodles has some freebies available for you, too!

Today starts another challenge from the Outlawz Freebie/Progressive Challenges. It's their second month of this new challenge, and there are 100 players who registered last month. Those crafters who uploaded their projects throughout December will receive this image from All Dressed Up.
I used mine on a swing card I made using an Elizabeth Craft Designs #768 - Katie Label Pivot Card Die.

Here's an inside view. I printed my image twice, using just the face for the second frame. The sentiment reads: There is no greater treasure than a good friend."
As I look back over the previous year, I am so very grateful for the friends I have. They are my support system, my comedic relief, my therapists and my security blanket. I hope I am as valuable to them as they are to me.
Check out the inspiration cards and projects at the Outlawz Freebie/Progressive Challenges. If you would like to play along throughout the year, but missed your chance when it initially started, you can go to All Dressed Up and purchase this image. Create with it and upload it onto our challenge string and you will be automatically added to the list of players receiving next month's freebie!!